Tunisia's Ennahda Rejects the New Cabinet

Demonstrations in support of President Kais Saied (Reuters)
Demonstrations in support of President Kais Saied (Reuters)
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Tunisia's Ennahda Rejects the New Cabinet

Demonstrations in support of President Kais Saied (Reuters)
Demonstrations in support of President Kais Saied (Reuters)

The Islamist Ennahda Movement, Tunisia's largest party, rejected the new cabinet formed by Najla Bouden, citing "constitutional violations" during its formation.

The movement described the cabinet as "a de facto government, and the government of the unconstitutional order 117," in reference to the order issued by President Kais Saied, which suspended most articles of the constitution to monopolize the executive and legislative powers, according to his critics.

Ennahda said losing legitimacy will increase the government's challenges and obstacles in dealing with national affairs and international partners.

The movement and its allies in the suspended parliament accuse the President of plotting a coup against the constitution and monopolizing powers.

Saied said he resorted to Article 80 of the constitution to declare exceptional measures, protect the state from "imminent danger," and fulfill the people's will.

Meanwhile, Saied withdrew the diplomatic passport of former President Moncef Marzouki after he demanded that France ends its support for Tunisia under Saied's leadership.

Days ago, Marzouki participated in a demonstration in Paris against Saied, during which he had urged French decision-makers "not to endorse a totalitarian system."

In an interview with France 24, Marzouki also admitted that he sought to cancel the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF) summit, which was scheduled in Tunisia next November before the organization decided to postpone it.

Saeid also ordered the termination of duties of Speaker Rachid Ghannouchi and other advisers.

The dismissal orders were published in the Official Gazette and included the chief of staff and four other advisors.

Meanwhile, lawmaker Seifeddine Makhlouf began a hunger strike in prison in protest against the decisions of the military judiciary.

Makhlouf, head of the Dignity Coalition, was arrested in two cases relating to the "airport events" and assaulting a military judge.

A military court rejected Makhlouf's defense's request to keep him on parole.

He said in a statement published by the Coalition that he remains on strike until this "military judicial farce is stopped," accusing the President of pressuring the judiciary.

Makhlouf is one of the fiercest critics of the President. He opposed the exceptional measures and the suspension of parliament, among other procedures.

He was involved in the incidents at Carthage International Airport between MPs of the Dignity Coalition and the security forces after they prevented a female passenger from going to Turkey for security reasons linked to terrorism.

Makhlouf was arrested on September 21 for insulting a military judge.



Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
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Israeli Army Reaches Outskirts of Litani River in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)
An Israeli tank loaded onto a truck being transported to the border with southern Lebanon in the Upper Galilee (EPA)

Israeli forces have launched their largest ground incursion into southern Lebanon since the conflict began, reaching the outskirts of the Litani River near Deirmimas.

They entered the town’s edges in an effort to separate Nabatieh from Marjayoun and prepare for an attack on the town of Taybeh from the west and north.

This move also aimed to neutralize Taybeh hill, which overlooks the Khiam plain, where Israel plans to extend its operations and capture the city of Khiam.

Lebanese media reported that Israel set up a checkpoint at the Deirmimas junction, cutting off Marjayoun from Nabatieh.

They also blocked the western entrance to Deirmimas near a fuel station using earth mounds, with Israeli military vehicles stationed there. Reports also said Israeli forces prevented UNIFIL and the Lebanese army from passing toward Marjayoun.

Lebanese sources following the battle in the south reported that Israeli forces advanced five kilometers west from the town of Kfar Kila, moving through olive groves. This advance took advantage of the absence of Hezbollah fighters in Christian areas like Qlayaa, Bir al-Muluk, and Deirmimas.

The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that this allowed Israeli forces to reach the outskirts of the Litani River for the first time since 2006, cutting off Nabatieh from Marjayoun. Israeli artillery had previously targeted this route several times, and drones had carried out strikes there.

Israel supported its ground advance with heavy artillery fire. Lebanese security sources said Israeli artillery targeted hills overlooking Deirmimas throughout Thursday night into Friday, hitting locations like Beaufort Castle, Arnoun, Yihmour, Wadi Zawtar, and Deir Siryan.

This fire typically provides cover for infantry advances. The sources also confirmed that Israeli ground movements were backed by airstrikes and drones for added security.

They speculated the advance followed a route from Kfar Kila through Tall al-Nahas and Bir al-Muluk toward Deirmimas, which is almost empty of residents and has no Hezbollah presence.

Hezbollah fired rockets at Israeli forces in the area, with three statements confirming the targeting of Israeli positions and vehicles near Deirmimas.

Media reports mentioned multiple rocket strikes on Israeli targets in Khiam and near Tall al-Nahas, as well as a guided missile attack on Israeli movements near oil groves close to the Marqos station at Deirmimas’ edge.

A photo shared by Lebanese media showed an Israeli tank behind an exposed hill east of Qlayaa, protected from the west and north. To the south, Israeli forces entered the town of Deirmimas, which overlooks the position.

Military expert Mustafa Asaad said the image, showing a bulldozer behind a tank at the Qlayaa-Marjayoun-Deirmimas junction, suggests that infantry units secured the area—either on foot or in fast vehicles—before entering Deirmimas.

The town’s mayor confirmed to local media that Israeli forces made a “small incursion” into Deirmimas, advancing through olive groves from Kfar Kila.

Hezbollah has stated it does not have military positions in Christian or Druze areas in southern Lebanon, as these communities oppose its presence. Sources close to Hezbollah say this is due to political reasons and security concerns.